A preliminary inquiry of the current deputy speaker of the Tonga Legislative Assembly Lord Tu'iha'ateiho has been adjourned to the 18th of October, for a new date to be fixed.

Lord Tu'iha'ateiho is facing one charge of unlawful possession of a firearm without a license.

Senior Crown counsel Sione Sisifa told Matangi Tonga online the one-day preliminary inquiry had been set for the 2nd of October but was adjourned as the Magistrate's Court is being used for a workshop.

Lord Tu'iha'ateiho is charged in relation to an semi-automatic pistol that was found by police in possession of an escaped prisoner who claimed it was stolen from Tu'iha'ateiho's home in 2010.